New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-10-14
COASTERS HARBOR ISLAND TAKEN
LIVELY SHAM BATTLE NEAR NEWPORT
WHAT THE NAVAL BRIGADE CAN DO SEEING A
POSITION FROM WHICH THE CITY COULD IN

fBY TELEGRAPH To THE rRrsuxEl

WHAT THE NAVAL BRIGADE CAN DO -sErZING A
POSITION FROM WHICH THE CITY COULD BE
SHIELDED.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRfBUNEl
NEWPORT, Oct 13.-The great sham battle has been
fought victory IL written the triumphant banner
1t each masthead OF the vessels Of the North
Atlantic Squadron. The weather rough all day and
n strong westerly gale made the landing in the boats
hard struggle The naval brigade led by Com
mander william cambridge Hon, who commanded
nearly 900 and while the opposing
under Captain Davis whose troops were made up from
the officers and Of the training ect about $50 all
told.
The boats containing the first battalion OF blue Jackets
the gatling guns and marines formed tho star
board side of the Richmond and towed by the Rich
monds steam launch. The boats containing the second
battalion Of blue Jackets, the three inch howitzer, was
formed port side Of the Richmond and lowed by
the steam launch OF the Ossipee The marines were
landed separate boats and expected to pull the
short distance necessary after casting OF tow. The
uniform officers dress with lcggngs; for
the men, blue watchcaps lcggings with canteens.
The color guard from ships TO which color COM
panics attached. Tho pioneers and such nipple
ments bags and forth TO be landed were
transported the different vessels by boats detailed
from which proceeded to different vessels or
the squadron that time and collected the force Gun
carriages carried such intrenchng tools could he con
venientiy sung TO them. Signal upon landing re-
ported the commanding officers OF the battaiions
Bugcrs went with the commanding oinccrs OF the
battaions All the had ocatkcepers In excess OF
the men launched for the infantry boats four for
landing artillery The forenoon passed on
tho Of the fleet i'll completing necessary
ARRANGEMENTS
BY 1880 g. m a general signal thrown opt for tho
naval brigade embark for battle; the with twenty
rounds OF blank cartridges In their belts marched
side and distributed among the various boats
After all tho boats had been assembled alongside tho
flagship. General IIOf and the members OF his STAFF
stepped aboard the flag boat from which signals TO
be made to the fotlla Everything being in readiness
the signal advance given The boats Of the first
battalion, under Lieutenant Commander I. A. Lyons,
started ahead followed by the Others and all stood up
the bay for the first position assigned the attacking
party. point about half a mile TO the norhwarl Of
Coasters Iarbor Island abreast the Beaches which
the landing was TO be made The boats were then
formed IN line abreast Meanwhile picket launch be-
longing 10 the Dolphin, having on board STAFF officer
and some signal men, had been ordered proceed
cautiously 10 advance OF the main body inspecting the
east line and to report II everything clear tho
island Soon after the following signal message sent
TO tho attacking boats:
Slight movement about MiantOnimi It'll Few troops
possibly artillery OF small cabr Clouds OF dust the
direction OF Newport far from the brow OF the hill az
eastward OF the causeway.
Upon receipt OF this cipher message General Hod
ordered his men make for the beach The skrmish
being neetcst shot quickly the front. and in
spite u shots fred from Miantouomi Hill were
ashore and tho hardly waiting for their boats
to ground Jumped quickly ashore and at de-
poyed skirnshers. The enemy discovered the move
and was Fastening the cascway In cagerncss to
gain the OF the hil Which would give them
handing position their fast approaching foes In
distinguish the two parties the attacking orco
dressed in blue clothing, while the enemy woro
white uniforms
After the skrmishers had quickly landed and ad
vanced, gatling guns brought shore. Tho
pioneers immediately put to work throwing up
screens OF and platforms for the artillery 10 rest
upon TO protect their crews from the enenys sharp
shooters the landing place being thus coyerod the
their energies TO getting the threeDc rifles ashore Tho
panes OF the latter skirnishers the third
company heing hed in reserve The extreme right OF
ing little hill the srt Of the line OF battle
which was toward the enemy. The enemy had
whether the brigade get landed aud formed before
the enemys artillery could be In position wth men ID
General Davis knew at that the attacking force
- e 6 a a and @ 10 s s Sa
lost in seizing ali points commanding The Water ny
tons Point no longer feasible and the only other
place for dssmoarEns was along the norm IN end %
could gain the crest Of the hill at the southern
END OF tas Island ana get ms gun, "a POSITION .ns hs
his mercy. rush across the causeway and scram-
there in tmc The order was given 10 advance on tho
dcubeqnick. and away dashed The whole tore and the
crest OF the hill gained just the first portion of the
attacking force had landed Could the artillery pieces
have been got up the steep hills about five minutes
earlier tho story OF the days battle would have been
different
All that remained to the defenders to make a
brave Eight possible against the approaching forces,
aud when the time for Withdrawal Ia retreat az
they could endclv ong keep their losses down 10
the smallest figure hy taking every advantage CT the
naturally strong defence the ground Offend. Tie posi-
ton OF the defenders admirably selected. II er-
tended the island from shore 10 shore along limo
well protected naturally well rs arihcially by
mound giving commanding position over the nsSail
ants, and having line OF stone wall beiud which their
could take shelter. the only indication Of their
being the pun smoke from their rifles The final
attack made. the forces under General Davis,
beaten hastily retreaed and General Hof gained tho
day. after capturing the point at the stone wall which
gave him commanding position 10 have sheled New
port.